American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others.

Chapter 208 The Slowest Pace
"Brother, what are you so nervous about?" Gwen suddenly stopped, crossed her arms and stared at him, "You look like you're investigating a case."

Lynn was amused by this, "No, I was just looking around."

"Just a look?" Gwen snorted doubtfully. "I think you're being too defensive. Come on, this is Brooklyn, not a place full of bad guys like those cases you have."

"Okay, Gwen, stop nagging your brother." George spoke up to Lynn. "He's been an agent for so many years, he must be used to it. You have to be more patient with him."

"Yeah, okay." Gwen curled her lips and continued walking forward.

At this moment, Lin En suddenly heard a familiar laugh. He turned his head subconsciously and saw an unexpected face - Kate Miller.

Kate, wearing a gray windbreaker and with her hands in her pockets, stood in front of a street cafe, chatting with a man who looked like a reporter. Her smile still carried that unyielding sharpness, but there was a rare hint of ease between her brows.

"It's her." Lynn whispered, pausing slightly.

Gwen followed his gaze and immediately perked up, "Wow, bro, who's that? She looks beautiful."

"Someone I know." Lynn answered simply, but there was a hint of complex emotion in her tone.

George also looked at Kate and raised his eyebrows slightly, "She doesn't look like an ordinary person. Is she your colleague?"

"No." Lin En shook her head. "She's a reporter. We had some...interactions before."

"Reporter?" Gwen's eyes lit up instantly. "Brother, don't tell me you have any special relationship with reporters? They're really good at digging up secrets."

Lin En ignored his sister's teasing. He just stood there, his eyes following Kate's figure involuntarily. When Kate said goodbye to the reporter and turned to leave, her eyes accidentally swept across Lin En.

Kate stopped in her tracks. She obviously hadn't expected to meet Lynn here. After a moment's surprise, she smiled meaningfully and walked towards him.

"Lynn." She stood in front of him, her smile calm, but a hint of curiosity flashed in her eyes. "I didn't expect to meet you here."

"Kate." Lynn nodded, her tone flat, but her eyes were fixed on her. "How have you been lately?"

"What else could it be? It has something to do with your FBI business." Kate crossed her arms, a hint of joking in her tone, "But I think my life is better than yours, seeing how exhausted you look."

"Yeah, he's tired, but still handsome," Gwen suddenly interrupted, glancing back and forth between Lynn and Kate with a teasing look in her eyes.

Kate looked down at Gwen, her smile softening a little, "Are you Lynn's sister?"

"Yes, I'm Gwen." Gwen extended her hand generously, "Are you my brother's friend?"

"I guess so." Kate shook her hand and turned to look at Lin En, "But you didn't tell me that you have such a lovely sister."

Lynn sighed and whispered, "She's not as cute as you think."

Gwen stuck out her tongue and then looked at Kate, "We're getting ready to go to dinner, do you want to join us?"

"Gwen—" Lin En tried to stop him, but Gwen interrupted him immediately, "Don't be so stingy, brother, she's your friend. Besides, what do you think, Dad?"

George smiled and nodded. "We can add an extra seat. If the lady is willing, she is certainly welcome."

Kate obviously didn't expect to be invited, but her eyes stayed on Lynn's face for a moment, and then she showed a relaxed smile, "Since you kindly invite me, I won't hesitate."

Lynn rubbed his brow helplessly, but ultimately said nothing more. The three of them continued walking towards the restaurant, while Kate followed silently behind them, occasionally chatting with Gwen.

The restaurant was softly lit and the air was filled with the aroma of food. Gwen and Kate chatted animatedly, ranging from school performances to news and gossip, and she even boldly asked a few questions about Kate's work experience.

"So you are a journalist who specializes in writing dangerous news?" Gwen opened her eyes wide, obviously curious about Kate's profession.

"You could say that," Kate replied with a smile. "My job is to dig out the truth, no matter how hard it is to accept."

"Sounds cool!" Gwen's eyes sparkled with excitement. "It sounds much more interesting than my brother's job."

Lin En raised an eyebrow and said lightly, "If you really knew what she went through, you wouldn't say that."

Kate glanced at him, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Lynn is right, Gwen. My job is dangerous and stressful. But sometimes, uncovering the truth is worth the risk."

Gwen nodded thoughtfully, while George smiled slightly and said, "In any case, both of you have remarkable careers. It's always admirable to be able to work for justice."

Kate took a sip of red wine and looked at Lynn with a meaningful smile. "It sounds like your family is very supportive of your work."

Lynn didn't answer, but just lowered his head and took a bite of steak.

The restaurant's lights were a soft, warm yellow, and the flickering candles on the tables made the atmosphere incredibly cozy. Gwen was clearly completely absorbed in her "mission"—she had never been more excited than tonight. As she cut her steak, she quietly glanced in Kate and Lynn's direction, a sly glint in her eyes.

"So, Kate," Gwen finally put down her knife and fork and spoke casually, "how long have you and my brother known each other?"

Kate was slightly taken aback, but then smiled. "Not long, just a few months? We met because of some... well, work-related things."

"Oh, really?" Gwen's eyes flashed with a hint of teasing. "It must be something very special 'about work', otherwise how could my brother remember someone so clearly?"

Lynn put down the cup in her hand, her eyes twitching. "Gwen, I remember everyone I come into contact with. This is my work habit."

"Yes, yes," Gwen said, rolling her eyes dramatically. "But you never usually mention other people, except Kate."

"Because she's a reporter." Lynn answered decisively, but there was a hint of vigilance in his tone. He clearly sensed Gwen's "intention."

"A reporter?" Gwen raised her eyebrows. "That's quite interesting. Kate, do you think my brother is difficult for the media to approach?"

Kate narrowed her eyes at Lynn, looking a little amused. "Yeah...it's true. He's difficult to approach, especially when you try to ask questions that make him uncomfortable."

"Like what problem?" Gwen's tone was full of curiosity.

"For example," Kate put down her cutlery, pretended to think seriously, and then said in a teasing tone, "Are you always used to taking on everything by yourself? Are you afraid of letting others get close to you?"

Lynn frowned, but didn't immediately refute. He just looked at Kate with a slightly helpless expression, "You're analyzing me again."

Kate shrugged. "It's just a professional habit. Don't mind it."

Gwen couldn't help but laugh as she watched the two interact. "Oh my god, you two are so in sync! Lynn, it's so unusual that you didn't just fight back."

"Why would I argue back?" Lynn raised an eyebrow. "She was just making superficial observations."

"Wow, 'superficial'." Kate pretended to be offended, but couldn't hide the smile on her face. "Okay, Agent Lynn, I'll try to go a little deeper next time."

George listened with a meaningful smile on his face. He did not interrupt the conversation, but quietly cut his steak, looking quite enjoyable.

"But seriously." Gwen suddenly stopped teasing and looked back and forth between Kate and Lynn seriously, "I think you two are a good match." As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere at the table suddenly became subtle.

Kate was slightly stunned, then lowered her head to hide her expression, "Gwen, you are such a joke."

"I'm not kidding," Gwen said seriously. "The chemistry between you two is so obvious. Don't you think so, bro?"

Lin En's expression froze for a moment, then he coughed lightly, "Gwen, have you been watching too much TV?"

"This has nothing to do with the TV show. I just have eyes." Gwen smiled slyly. "Don't tell me you didn't feel anything."

Kate raised her head and glanced at Lin En, with a hint of embarrassment in her eyes, but more of curiosity. Lin En deliberately avoided her gaze, reached out to pick up the water glass and took a sip, trying to hide his discomfort.

"Your brother probably has too strong professional habits. Even when dealing with feelings, he treats them coldly, just like handling a case." Kate said casually, trying to change the subject easily.

"Oh, no, no, no, he's not cold, he's just stupid," Gwen said mercilessly. "He's not good at expressing his feelings. He always pretends to be very tough, but in fact, he is more nervous than anyone else."

"That's enough, Gwen." Lynn finally couldn't help but whispered, but her tone was more helpless than angry.

"Oh, don't be so serious." Gwen blinked, then turned to Kate. "But seriously, Kate, have you ever considered dating my brother? He may talk tough, but he's actually a nice guy."

Kate's smile faltered. She obviously hadn't expected Gwen to ask so directly. She hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Lynn is a remarkable man, and I respect him very much, but—"

"But what?" Gwen demanded.

"But he might not be suitable for a date." Kate took a sip of wine and looked at Lynn vaguely.

"Why?" Gwen was like a curious child, unwilling to miss any details.

Lin En finally couldn't bear it anymore. He put down the cup in his hand and said in a low and firm voice, "Gwen, that's enough."

Gwen curled her lips, looking a little unwilling, but she didn't continue. She lowered her head to cut a piece of steak and muttered, "Okay, okay, you two are so boring."

Kate forced a smile, but her eyes remained on Lynn. She knew that Gwen's words, though joking, had unexpectedly touched upon something she didn't want to face. And while Lynn's expression appeared calm, she could sense that he, too, seemed to be harboring some complex emotions.

Although the atmosphere at the dinner table was slightly disrupted by Gwen's "matchmaking," it quickly returned to normal. George changed the subject at the right moment and began chatting with Kate about something lighthearted, while Lynn fell into a rare silence. He lowered his head to cut his steak, occasionally looking up at Kate, a softness in his eyes that he himself hadn't realized flashed.

After dinner, they walked out of the restaurant together. The wind on the street was a little colder than when they came in. Gwen looked at the street corner not far away and suddenly said excitedly, "I want to buy a dessert! There's a delicious shop over there!"

"Gwen." George shook his head. "Didn't you just finish a meal?"

"Dessert and dinner are two different things!" Gwen pulled George towards the dessert shop without saying a word, leaving Lynn and Kate standing at the door of the restaurant.

Lin En looked at their backs and sighed helplessly, "She's always like this, her energy never runs out."

"She's quite cute." Kate smiled softly, her hands in her pockets, and she turned her head to look at Lynn. "But what she said...did you feel uncomfortable?"

Lynn was silent for a moment, then whispered, "She likes to tease people too much sometimes."

"So, you think she's teasing you?" Kate asked with a hint of provocation in her tone.

Lin En turned to look at her with a deep gaze, "What do you think?"

Kate was slightly stunned, but then she laughed. "I think she just wants you to have a normal emotional life, instead of always living in danger and pressure."

Lynn didn't answer. His gaze passed Kate and fell on the end of the street. At that moment, he seemed to be lost in thought, while Kate looked at him quietly. For the first time, she felt that this cold-blooded agent in front of her might be more complicated than she had imagined.

After dinner, the streets still held the warmth of Brooklyn. Neon lights flickered faintly in the hazy night, and the wind blew a chill across my face. George led Gwen in front, chatting and laughing. Gwen took a delighted bite of dessert and turned to look at Lynn and Kate.

"Brother, since Kate happened to meet us, you should send her home." Gwen said it lightly, but there was a familiar "matchmaking light" flashing in her eyes, which made Lynn's heart alarm bells ring.

"Gwen, I think Kate can go home on her own." Lynn's tone was filled with a hint of resistance.

But Kate smiled, her hands in the pockets of her windbreaker, deliberately adding fuel to the fire, "Actually, if you are willing to give it to me, I won't refuse."

Gwen immediately smiled triumphantly and gave Kate a thumbs-up. "That's it! Lynn, stop making excuses. You seem so busy all day long. Now that you finally have a chance to relax, why not take a few more steps and unwind?"

"Relax?" Lin En frowned, but facing Gwen's confident expression, it seemed unnecessary to refute her. He could only sigh helplessly, "Okay, but just this once."

Kate looked at him with a smile, "Thank you for your help, Agent Lynn."

Gwen waved triumphantly, "Good night, Kate! Brother, don't always look so sullen on the road, relax a little!"

Lynn looked down at Gwen's receding figure, the corner of her mouth twitching, but she finally looked at Kate, "Do you live far away?"

"It's not too far." Kate smiled and took a step forward. "Let's go."

The street was quiet, with only the occasional passing car headlights casting streaks of light across the night. The two walked side by side, neither speaking. Lin En's eyes subconsciously scanned the surroundings, his pace steady and relaxed, yet he maintained a professional vigilance within.

Kate seemed to sense his nervousness and deliberately broke the silence, "Are you always like this? Even walking feels like you're on a mission."

"It's a habit," Lin En responded calmly, his eyes still scanning the surroundings. "It's an occupational disease. I can't change it."

"Well, no wonder Gwen said you needed to relax." Kate chuckled, her hands in her windbreaker pockets, and looked at him sideways. "But honestly, I rarely see you relaxed. What do you usually do that makes you let your guard down?"

"Does sleeping count?" Lin En pursed his lips, his tone a little self-deprecating.

Kate couldn't help but laugh out loud, "That's the ultimate in relaxation."

Lynn tilted her head slightly to glance at her, "What about you? You always seem full of energy, like nothing can stop you."

"Oh, I'll stop." Kate's smile grew, her eyes teasing. "For example, right now, walking with you is the slowest pace I go in a day."

The corner of Lynn's mouth twitched slightly, but he didn't say anything. He and Kate walked a few blocks, gradually moving away from the main road. The surrounding buildings began to look dilapidated and quiet. Kate pointed to an apartment building in front of her. "We're here, right there."

Lin En looked up at the four-story red brick building. The streetlights downstairs were dim and swaying, not providing much light. He glanced around, confirming there was no suspicious movement before looking away. "Is this where you live?"

"That's right." Kate nodded, then paused slightly, adding a hint of jokingly, "Why? Doesn't it look unsafe?"

"It's okay." Lynn's voice was low and calm. "But if I were you, I would add an extra security camera at the door."

Kate smiled and shook her head, "Lynn, you have to learn to trust that life isn't full of danger every second."

"But for some people, it is." Lynn looked at her seriously, his eyes deep. "Especially reporters like you, who always like to dig up those uncomfortable truths."

(End of this chapter)